Nearly 40 Greenville Lions and their guests gathered for the civic organization’s annual banquet Tuesday night at Beeland Park.

“Tomorrow is New Year’s Day for this club,” said emcee and Greenville Lion Herbert Little. “We start a new year with new goals and needs to be met. We can look back at what we’ve done right and focus on the things we need to do better.”

Little said the $8,500 raised by the Lion’s signature event, Lions Radio Day in October, has gone to a number of deserving sight-related charities. The programs supported by Greenville Lions’ donations include Alabama Lions Sight, Southeastern Guide Dogs for the Blind, Southeastern Diabetic Education Services and Lions Club International Foundation, which helps with disaster relief and humanitarian missions worldwide, and providing eye exams and glasses for needy citizens in the area.

“We spent $2,000 on glasses and eye exams, which is the largest amount we have ever spent. We’ve seen that need grow in the last couple of years due to the economy,” Little said.

The evening also saw presentation of milestone years of service pins, induction of new members and installation of new officers for the 2011-2012 year.

Natalie Langford of Manpower, who will be taking over the presidency of the club, said she was looking forward to a great year for Lionism in Greenville.